Seal-lock



(No Model.)

' P. G. DOCKSTADER,

SEAL LOCK. No. 605,277, Patented Ji1ne7,1898..

fl a.

C. J j c j a I l r u 5 c C :53 I

. 'ii fi jg] 5 C Caz/U II H uwnmn IIHII wuewtoz EINITEDYISFTATES.

PATENT PRESTON c. DOCKSTADER, OF COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO.

SEAL-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part Letters Patent No. 605,277, dated June '7, 1898. Application filed Au t 26, 1897- Serial No. 649,556. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PRESTON C. DOCK- STADER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Colorado Springs, in the county of El Paso and State of Colorado, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Seal- Locks; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to seal-locks, and has for its object the production of a device of this'character which is more especially designed for use in connection with the doors of railway-cars, and to this end is provided with means for effectually preventing any improper manipulations of the seal without detection.

The invention consists in the construction and relative arrangement of the parts composing the seal-lock, all of which is hereinafter fully and clearly described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of a seal-lock embodying my invention. Fig. .2 isa detail view of the staple forming part of the seal-lock. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a modified form of pin. Fig. 4 is an elevationof a modified construction of seal-lock embodying my invention. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the sta plo. Fig. 6 is a detail view ofthe pin. Fig.

7 is an elevation of a further modified construction of seal-lock. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the staple, and Fig. 9 is a detail view of the form of seal employed in the construction' of seal last referred to.

Referring to the said drawings by letter, A denotes a hasp which forms a part of my invention, but which may be of ordinary construction and pivotally hung on a staple acaused to engage webs d (Z in a seal D, as will presently appear. I

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the pin is provided with a projection 0 which in practice engages the under side of the staple B, the latter having a recess 1) in the wall of the opening to allow of the in sertion of the pin when the projection and re cess are brought in register. This projection is preferably located about in line with the slot 0 of the pin, while the recess 1) in the staple occupies a position which in practice is about the distance from the projection of a quarter-turn of the pin, the object being to utilize this projection as a means for preventing the withdrawal of the pin while inserting the seal and after the seal is in place. In Figs. 1 and '3 the slot c of the pin is shown as intermediate of the length. One side of the pin is also shown as extending considerably below the mouth ofthe slot, and this side or end 0 is reduced in diameter, asshown in Fig. 1, or is flattened, as shown inFig. 3. This end a in practice engages perforations. d cl in the seal D, and said perforations may be of circular or other form. Above the webs d the seal is providedwith a semicircular opening 01 which receives onehalf of the pin. The webs (Z are formed by slits or incisions, and the material of the seal being flexible saidwebs in practice are causedto pass over the teeth 0 of the pin-slot c and to be engaged by the teeth-shoulders, as will be understood.

The seal is looked after a single web has passed a shoulder; but the purpose of the invention is to force the seal to the end of the slot, when it will be found that each web is engaged by a shoulder, rendering it impossi ble to remove the seal without mutilation.

In practice the seal is brokenby making a cut through the webs, and the seal is thus Ice tion and near its upper end is provided at one side with a recess which allows of the pin being turned in the opening of the staple and to be thereby locked therein for a purpose similar to that previously referred to. The pin 0 is shown as having the slot extending to the lower end, and said slot is deeper than the width of the seal, and thereby in practice extends below it, necessitating the seal being cut in two to remove it from the pin.- e denotes a stop-piece which is pivotally secured to the door-frame in line with the opening of the staple and which has a forwardly-projecting lower end adapted to be interposed into the path of the pin toprevent its being raised during the operation of attaching the seal. This stop-piece is moved on its pivot to one side, as shown in dotted lines, to allow of the pin being inserted.

In Figs. 7, 8, and 9 the staple is shown as being double,and from its lower member there extend downwardly two arms f f, which in practice engage perforations d d in the upper end of the seal D, whereby the seal is held in position for engagement with the pin-slot as the pin is inserted, and when together the parts are secure against any improper attempt to elfect the opening of the door without detection.

My improved seal-lock provides every safeguard against theft, inasmuch as it is impossibleto withdraw the pin (which looks the hasp) without mutilating the seal and giving notice that the effort has been improperly made. The seal itself provides for the reception of the stamp of the station-dater, and numbers appear at the outer edge, which are consecutively punched by the conductors in charge of the car. In this way should a successful or unsuccessful effort be made to rob the car the condition of the seal will show the efiort, and by the employment of the seal, as

above described, the matter of tracing the perpetrator is readily accomplished.

I claim as my invention 1. A seal-lock comprising a staple, a pin having a toothed slot, a seal adapted to engage said slot, and a shoulder on the pin for engaging the staple in the manner and for the purpose substantially as described.

2. A seal-lock comprising a staple provided with a recess at one side of its opening, a pin having aprojection and having a toothed slot, and a seal having webs for engaging the slotteeth, substantially as described.

3. A seal-lock comprising a staple, a pin adapted to enter the staple-opening and provided with a toothed slot and a reduced lower end below said slot, and a seal provided with webs for engaging the slot-teeth and with perforations for engaging said lower end, in the manner and for the purpose substantially as described.

4. A seal-lock comprising a staple provided with arms extending downwardly therefrom, a seal having openings for said arms, and webs intermediate of said openings, and a pin having a toothed slot adapted to engage the webbed portion of the seal and having a reduced lower end for engaging perforations in the seal, substantially as described.

5. In a seal-lock,the combination of astaple, a pin having a toothed slot, a seal adapted to engage said slot, a shoulder on the pin for engaging the staple, and a stop-piece pivotally secured in the path of the pin and adapted to be moved to engage the same, substantially as set forth. 7

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PRESTON C. DOCKSTADER.

WVitnesses:

THos. J. FISHER, J. W. MILLER. 

